The Greenville News Editorial: Gov. Mark Sanford should resign

Jun. 30, 2009

Gov. Mark Sanford should resign immediately and allow South Carolina to begin picking up the pieces. The two-term governor has destroyed any shred of credibility with his lies unnecessarily added on top of other lies. His ability to govern this state has been compromised so severely that he cannot fulfill the duties required of this state's governor until a successor takes the oath of office in January 2011.

In a tearful, rambling press conference last Wednesday, one in which the governor described himself as a “bottom-line type” of guy, he painted a version of his extramarital affair with an Argentine woman that we now know simply wasn't the whole truth. And that the governor wasn't truthful then — and in a circumstance that did not demand the steamy particulars of the affair — undermines the last thing Mark Sanford had working in his favor: his character.

On Tuesday, in what was described as yet another “emotional” interview with the Associated Press, the governor admitted more encounters with his Argentine lover and other details that contradicted what appeared to be a contrite, sincere apology last week. Furthermore, he disclosed to the AP that he had “crossed lines” with women other than the Argentine woman, although he denied any of those relationships crossed “the sex line.”

Gov. Sanford could have told the truth last week without feeling the need for what appeared to be a full-blown, cover-all-bases confessional. He then could have begun trying to repair his two broken oaths: one to his wife and one to his state. And on the latter, he could have thrown himself into his elected job as chief executive of this state and focused on mending fences with legislators, rebuilding this state's shattered economy and ending the exhausting drama so long associated with his time in the Governor's Office.

Instead, he's acted like a heart-sick school boy, and he's revealed facts that clearly demonstrate he is capable of exceptional deception, arrogance and narcissism. And in his updated confessionals, Sanford has left little doubt that he is not the man many state residents, including many who agree with him politically, thought he was.

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South Carolina cannot endure another 18 months of Mark Sanford's meltdown. This state cannot hold its collective breath, waiting for the newest revision to Sanford's story of lies, deception and adulterous flings. And the workings of state government, including the most important one of improving this state's damaged economy, cannot grind to a halt while a thorough investigation is conducted into what Sanford has done in office and how he has spent taxpayers' dollars.

Attorney General Henry McMaster did the right thing Tuesday about Sanford's latest revelation of additional encounters with Maria Belen Chapur. McMaster requested the State Law Enforcement Division “conduct a preliminary review of all Gov. Sanford's travel records to determine if any laws have been broken or any state funds misused.” State lawmakers should insist this go a step further: To avoid any appearance of political coziness, a special prosecutor should be appointed to investigate Sanford's expenditure of public money.

The governor already has said he would repay the state almost $10,000 for his costs on the Argentina leg of a 2008 trade mission that created the opportunity for him to meet his lover. That announcement came after The Greenville News requested records of the trip under the state's Freedom of Information Act.

An investigation needs to go forward into Sanford's other trips. South Carolina may be owed more money from this self-described guardian of the taxpayers' wallet. But that investigation needs to take place with Sanford out of the governor's office.

In an editorial Sunday, this newspaper argued that Sanford's resignation could hurt South Carolina and that given the extraordinary importance of the 2010 gubernatorial campaign, the governor should remain in office in order to leave the playing field level for the 2010 Republican primary.

That position, however, was based on two conditions: That Sanford had not abused his office, and that he was willing and capable of putting in the hard work necessary to serve as this state's chief executive officer.

Instead, Sanford has disclosed additional details of his personal life that have damaged his credibility. He has invited further scrutiny into his travel while he has been in office. He has rendered himself incapable of serving the remainder of his term.

The man who would succeed Sanford is Andre Bauer. The lieutenant governor comes with his own baggage, and he has over the years acted in immature ways and raised questions about his judgment. But twice voters elected Bauer knowing full well that circumstances could require him to move into the Governor's Office. Those circumstances are upon us now.

Mark Sanford should resign as the governor of South Carolina. If he doesn't, state legislators must move quickly to salvage the authority and dignity of the Office of Governor.